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LOT 1570
Antique Factory Engraved George Gibbs Falling Block Single Shot
Rifle - Serial no. 18566, 22 LR cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895 per the information given on page 94 of Nigel
Brown’s “British Gunmakers Volume Two: Birmingham, Scotland, & the Regions”. Blued
steel barrel with raised beaded blade front sight, fixed island rear sight, “GEORGE GIBBS. BRISTOL.
& 35 SAVILE ROW. LONDON.W.” marked between the sight, Birmingham nitro proofs, and the number “B5905” on the right of the
chamber. The barrel has been sleeved from its original caliber (unknown) to its current 22 L.R. chambering. The casehardened falling block
action displays full coverage floral scroll engraving showing “GEORGE GIBBS/BRISTOL” on the left side as well as scrollwork extending to the action
lever and both tangs, the top of which has a folding Lyman style rear peep sight. The top of the action is marked “918”, which is very likely a rack number placed there for
identification by a Gentlemens shooting club, adding another layer of intrigue to this fine piece. Attractively figured, multi-point checkered forend and pistol grip stock with engraved casehardened trapdoor grip cap,blank inscription oval, and checkered steel trapdoor buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine as period refurbished, retaining 90% blue finish with a plum hue, some traces of original case colors in the protected areas with the balance a fine grey patina, some pitting beneath the forend, overall light handling evidence, and crisp checkering on the wood. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
399
LOT 1571
Very Fine Engraved Alexander Henry 1882 Patent Hammerless Lever-Cocking
Sidelock Double Rifle - Serial no. 6426, 450/400 2 3/8” cal., 26 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This
rifle is listed by serial number 6326 on page 304 of Donald Dallas’ book “Alexander Henry: Rifle Maker” as a “B/D/H/L/R” (best grade
double hammerless rifle) in 450/400 2 3/8 inch with remarks “Henry H/L pat.” and a completion date of 28/10/1889. The rifle is built on
Henry’s classic lever-cocking patent (Patent No. 5273 of November 4, 1882, use number 205). Dallas notes that between 1883 and the end
of the century only around 241 rifles had been built to this patent. Norman R. Blank’s note state the rifle’s provenance was “probably Keith Neal.” A receipt
from Martin B. Retting from 1957 is also included. The browned Damascus barrels have Henry patent rifling, a beaded blade front sight on the mostly file cut matted rib,
“ALEXR. HENRY, EDINBURGH AND LONDON./MAKER TO THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH” marked on the non-matted section ahead of the
two leaf rear sight (unmarked fixed, 200 yard folding, both with platinum sight lines), engraved border at the breech end, and on the underside the serial numbers, “A.H.,” an “S” in an oval,
London black powder proof marks and “.390” nominal bore markings. The casehardened action also has the serial number and “A.H.” and London view marks on both sides of the watertable. The casehardened back action hammerless locks have cocking indicators and gold inlaid “COCKED” markings, “ALEXR HENRY” signed in banners. The upper tang has “HENRYS/No 205/PATENT” in an oval and the automatic safety with silver inlaid “SAFE.” The serial number is inscribed on the trigger guard tang. The whole of the action and locks are engraved with tight scroll engraving. The splinter forearm and pistol grip stock are finely checkered, and the buttstock is particularly well-figured and has an oval shadowline cheekpiece and a rubber recoil pad with black spacer. Sling eyes are fitted to the underside of the barrels and the butt. Length of pull 14 1/16 inches. Weight 7 lbs. 1 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine with 90% original brown finish showing minor fading towards the
breech end, 85% original vibrant case colors with even fading mainly on the breech section
and underside of the action and lever, crisp engraving and markings, and generally minor
overall wear mainly consisting of some light marks and scratches. The wood is also very
fine and has crisp checkering, attractive figure, slight separation of the pad at the toe, and
light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. This is certainly a very attractive
example of Alexander Henry’s highly regarded best grade hammerless double rifle.
Provenance: Martin B. Retting; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,500